PHURBU WITH 3 HEADS Iron with pigments and gilding Tibet , 16th to 17th century Dimensions: Height 26,5 cm by 5 cm Weight: 1505,5 grams This ritual dagger comes attached to a plinth and can be separated in pommel, handle and blade. The pommel is decorated with three faces of Dorje Phurba or Vajrapani showing different sentiments. The handle is made of a weavy or knotwork design of triune form. Starting at the handle and reaching into the blade is a scaled, weaved in shape suggesting the head of a Kirtimukha, a fierce monster with gaping mouth. The phurbu is a ritual object associated with Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Bon and Vedic traditions.